Arts Commission faces funding veto

In budget debate, the state Senate passed an amendment requiring at least 70 percent of funds appropriated to the Arts Commission to be used for grants and not for overhead.

That may not be enough to save the arts agency, however as Senator Larry Martin (R-Pickens) says the agency still faces a funding veto. Martin last week tried to shield the commission by moving it to Parks, Recreation and Tourism, as the governor desired:

I simply don’t believe that will resolve the governor’s issues with the Arts Commission budget and I’m fearful that we won’t ever see that again over in the Senate. I don’t know that the House would override that veto and give us an opportunity to even vote on it. That’s my view, based on the discussions I’ve had with the governor’s office. I believe that they intend to pursue a veto if we pass it as a stand-alone agency.